Have bought a car but something fishy

Newpurchas

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster. Any help appreciated.

So I purchased a car this morning. Bought it at a dealer in Dublin. It's a 2010 5 series. It was listed at 12,300 and I got them down to 12,000. No trade in just cash.

Happy enough with the car. Going into the showroom I was hoping to get it for 11,500 but no luck. Anyway, before I sealed the deal they told me it needed a servicing and that it'd be a week before I could drive away in it. Wasn't too pleased but it's the car I wanted at the mileage and spec I was looking for so I said ok. We arranged payment would be made the day before I collected the car but then earlier this evening I get a call from the dealer asking could I put it through now so they can release the car to me next week. This all sounds a bit odd to me! Anyone else know if this is common practice? Why do they need payment a week in advance?

bmwguy

Are you doing a bank transfer? That could take a few days to show up in their bank, banks don't count weekends and definitely not this weekend, Monday is a bank holiday so if you put it through tonight it won't be processed until tomorrow and won't hit their bank until Tuesday at the earliest probably Wednesday or Thursday to be honest.

Henry Ford III

Did you verify the mileage?

TomYeats1

From my experience that seems a bit odd. If agreed that it would be the day before then that should be enough. What dealer was it?

nice_guy80

Don't pay a cent until you check everything

bazz26

I wouldn't pay the balance until I was collecting it being honest, and I'd make sure they have everything done they promised first. Handing over money 2 days before the holidays without getting the car is a no no in my books. Potentially they could go bust and be gone with your money and no car. Are they a reputable or main dealer as they don't sound like either?

Shannon757

I'd it a bank transfer or 12k in a suitcase?

Newpurchas

I have paid the deposit so I assume it's too late to back out now even if something fishy is going on.

It's a reputable dealership in Dublin. 6 month warranty on engine and gearbox.

I didn't do any check on the mileage, took their word for it as it had a service history etc. How would I go about doing that?

Kristopherus

bmwguy wrote: »

Are you doing a bank transfer? That could take a few days to show up in their bank, banks don't count weekends and definitely not this weekend, Monday is a bank holiday so if you put it through tonight it won't be processed until tomorrow and won't hit their bank until Tuesday at the earliest probably Wednesday or Thursday to be honest.

Tuesday is also a Public Holiday.

Senna

Aren't some/all banks closed on Wednesday also?

Anyway, I would be paying anything now, wonder would they take a bank draft?

bazz26

Never take a seller's word at face value especially around the service history. Do a full car history report and ring the garages that stamped the service book to verify what they did. I'd rather lose a deposit that get burnt with a dodgy or clocked car.

jimbobaloobob

Even if you paid a deposit you have a cooling off period with all purchases. Check with consumer services.

Cartell.ie pay the few quid to have the car verified.
Hope its what you at expecting.

MouseTail

It could be to do with closing off this years sales / Xmas bonus or something. I wouldn't though, pay the balance when the keys are in your hand.

Henry Ford III

Newpurchas wrote: »

......It's a reputable dealership in Dublin. 6 month warranty on engine and gearbox.

I didn't do any check on the mileage, took their word for it as it had a service history etc. How would I go about doing that?

You've gone too far on this already but look at the invoices and service book. Call the garages to verify. Speak to the previous owner.

ironclaw

With respect Newpurchas, I'd call a halt on what you are doing and get someone to look over the car. Its a very bad idea to buy a car from anything other than an established, branded, mainline dealer without a mechanic checking it over unless you are very mechanically minded yourself.

Given the sum of money in mind, you could withdraw it quite easily from a bank, 6k this week and 6k on your way to collect it, and when you have a mechanic look it over, pay the garage in cash with 100EUR to the mechanic for his time. That 100EUR could save you 1000's in the long run, or another way, its 0.8% the cost of the car.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

mahoganygas

Maybe the salesman is hoping to get the commission recorded in December, rather than January.

pinkfloyd34

This also happened me but the reason the sales man said was for the money to clear by bank transfer, I just thought this was normal practice and done what was asked and have had no problems with the car since. It was a dealer in the newlands cross area of dublin.

Banks are closed next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

unkel

Newpurchas wrote: »

6 month warranty on engine and gearbox.

Isn't that's a bit meagre on a €12k car?

I presume it's a 4 cylinder diesel 520d? Was the chain job done already? Are you 100% sure the warranty covers you if the chain causes the need for a very expensive repair?

I wouldn't pay a cent more (than your deposit), until I had the keys / reg document in my hand. You'd completely expose yourself if you do.

bazz26

If it were me I'd be paying by bank draft rather than electronic transfer. I'd collect the draft from the bank before they close for the holidays. That way you can pay the dealer at a suitable time once you know the car is serviced and all is in order. You are also no longer dependant on the bank to reopen in order to organise a money transfer.

I certainly would not be cutting corners or not doing proper checks in order to rush the purchase through before they close for the holidays or the dealer wants his commission before the end of the year. Getting dealers to do things they promised you after you've paid over your money can be very challenging and in some cases be in vain. Much easier when they haven't got your money yet.

Big Nasty

mahoganygas wrote: »

Maybe the salesman is hoping to get the commission recorded in December, rather than January.

I'd guess at the above.

Tell them you won't be paying until the handover. In the mean time to a HPI check and try follow up on the SH. If you're still not sure walk away. There's plenty of them about.